Tillman County is located in southwestern Oklahoma,
approximately 140 miles southwest of Oklahoma City. It is bordered on the south
by the Red River, (boundary line between Oklahoma and Texas) and the north fork
of the Red River forms most of its western boundary. The land area is 861 square
miles with a 2003 estimated population of 8,835.

Tillman County has been described as "where cotton and wheat meet," being a
large producer of cotton and wheat. It also produces alfalfa, Milo, peanuts,
gaur, Sudan, soybeans, vegetables, melons, and fruit, while producing plenty of
lush grassland for raising cattle and horses. The fertile lands are
comparatively level and slightly rolling and dotted with oil wells both old and
new.

Lake Frederick, a nine hundred acre lake, smaller lakes, farm ponds and
boundary rivers afford fishing for our sportsmen. There is an abundance of
wildlife for the delight of hunters and photographers. Dove, quail, wild turkey,
duck, geese, crane, crow, bobcat, raccoon, rabbit, coyote, squirrel, red fox and
deer are all found here. Many hunters come into the county for the quail and
dove seasons. Probably the most famous hunter coming here to hunt for wolves was
Teddy Roosevelt. The hunt was conducted at Panther Springs.

During World War II, and Air Force training base for B-25 bomber pilots was
located in Frederick. It was a large base with a concrete runway. It was quit
claim deeded to the City of Frederick in 1944. This is now used as an auxiliary
airfield by Sheppard Air Force Base, Wichita Falls, Texas, and also by the local
airport.

The Historical Society and Arts and Humanities Council have restored many
buildings and opened a museum in Frederick, The Old Ramona Theatre building has
been renovated and restored to its beautiful original condition. It is
registered as a National Historic Site.

The county seat was born when the last frontier in Oklahoma was opened for
settlement. It sprang out of the prairie when the Kiowa-Comanche-Apache lands
were allotted in 1901. A railroad official for the St. Louis and San Francisco
Railroad came through on a tour of inspection of the company’s new properties
and named the new town for his son, Frederick.

In 1906 came the opening of the big pasture which included the eastern part
of the county. In 1907 came statehood and the Oklahoma Constitutional Convention
created the County of Tillman, which has previously been a part of Comanche
County. It was named for Senator Ben Tillman of South Carolina, who had no part
in Oklahoma history. In 1910 and 1924 part of Kiowa County was added to the
north side of the county. The present courthouse was built in 1921.

The area in the vicinity of Frederick was among the last of the Oklahoma
Territory land to be opened to settlement. The "Big Pasture" area was not
apportioned for settlement until 1906, at which time it was divided and sold to
the highest bidders.

About this time, the Frisco Railroad was completing the final link to its
system covering the far southwest portion of the territory. There were two small
settlements about this time, Hazel and Gosnell. True to form, the railroad built
its station between the two, causing a feud between them. After some
negotiations, the company conductor came up with a solution. By merging the two
towns and naming the new town after his son Frederick, the problem was solved.
As an added incentive, he donated an iron flagpole and flag to the new town, so
now we have a new town, a new name, a promised flagpole, and Frederick was ready
to look to the future! Six decades passed before the Frisco Railway became aware
of the historical promise of their employee and the pledge made so long ago was
fulfilled. The iron flagpole was mounted on a granite base, made and inscribed
by Century Granite Co. of Frederick with the history of the pole, and was
dedicated on August 11, 1962 commemorating the naming of the city. The city was
actually and legally established as Frederick on December 26, 1902.

For more historical information on Tillman County call the Tillman County
Historical Society at 580-335-5844 or go to the Historical Society link on our
home page.